KARSAN Jest Electric, Jest EV, e-JEST Incident

On January [XXX], 2026, a Beep-operated Karsan EJEST (BEEP-EJEST-0001) equipped with an automated driving system (ADS) develop by ADASTEC Corporation (ADASTEC) was involved in a collision with a third-party vehicle in Washington, D.C. While traveling in autonomous mode westbound on [XXX] in the left-hand lane, the vehicle encountered a double-parked vehicle partially intruded into BEEP-EJEST-0001's lane of travel. BEEP-EJEST-0001 began to slow from its planned speed, and as decelerated, a human-driven Tesla Model Y (VEHICLE2) traveling parallel to BEEP-EJEST-0001 in the right-hand lane attempted to pull behind BEEP-EJEST-0001 to pass the double-parked vehicle in its lane of travel. VEHICLE2 encroached upon BEEP-EJEST-0001's predefined safety area of 5 cm, triggering an automated deceleration by BEEP-EJEST-0001 of approximately –2 m/s^2. VEHICLE2 began to further encroach upon BEEP-EJEST-0001's lane, triggering a higher-rate automated braking response consistent with system design. VEHICLE2 subsequently made contact with the rear of BEEP-EJEST-0001. Beep confirmed that the operator performed his duties as trained and expected by Beep’s established policies and procedures. The vehicle operator was not referred for a post-accident drug and alcohol testing after the incident as the DOT criteria for such testing were not met. Available data indicated that VEHICLE2 followed BEEP-EJEST-0001 at a distance insufficient to respond to rapid deceleration and initiated a lane transition across a solid lane line immediately prior to contact. BEEP-EJEST-0001 reacted as expected to the environment it encountered, slowing down to appropriate speeds and operated within its defined ODD at the time of the incident. There were (7) seven passengers on board. No injuries were reported. Both vehicles sustained minor damage, no airbags were deployed, and both vehicles were driven from the scene. No law enforcement attended to the scene. Following the incident, the vehicle was inspected for damages to the vehicle or sensors. It has been determined that any damage incurred was minor and did not impact the operational integrity of the vehicle.